How to Mulch a Pine Tree
Commonly called pines, trees of the genus Pinus grow in many ecosystems throughout the northern hemisphere. In gardens, pines provide fragrant, year-round foliage and habitat for many butterfly species such as the red admiral (Vanesa atalanta) and monarch (Danaus plexippus). Pine trees require little care or maintenance in order to thrive, but in areas with extremely hot or dry conditions, pines benefit from a protective layer of mulch. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Pine wood chips
- Pine needles
- Wooden stakes
- Shovel
- Four-prong garden cultivator or rake
Instructions
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Plant pine trees in areas with sandy soil, if possible. Good drainage benefits most species of pine trees and it is a good base for the addition of mulch. Adding mulch to pine trees planted in soggy soil may encourage root rot.
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2
Create a mixture of pine wood chips and pine needles. If creating your own mulch mix, alternate throwing shovelfuls of pine needles and wood chips through a shredder to fully integrate the components. Mix the mulch with a cultivating fork after shredding to homogenize it further.
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Determine the size of the area that needs mulch. A good rule of thumb is to the mulch the area directly below the widest branches. Drive stakes into the ground at four equidistant points surrounding the tree to create a good visual guideline when spreading the mulch.
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Spread a circle of mulch around the outermost edge of the mulching area and around the base of the tree. The circles of mulch will vary in height between 1 and 4 feet, depending on the coverage area.
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Spread the rings of mulch toward each other using a four-prong garden cultivator or rake. The mulch layer must be no more than 4 inches thick. Do not create a thicker layer around the base of the tree because it inhibits root transpiration.
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Add additional mulch to thin or bald areas until a uniform layer is achieved.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not create pine wood chips from trees that have died of disease because it may spread the illness.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
